A section of Thika Superhighway constructed by China’s Wuyi, a Chinese road construction company, in Nairobi. Fares for commuters between Thika and Nairobi fell from mid-July as a result of stiff competition between established matatu and bus operators and Kenya Mpya Bus Company, a new entrant on the route.. Xinhua|Daniel Namale
Bitter rivalry between public transport companies and the completion of the Thika Superhighway has seen fares plunge by as much about a third to the relief of consumers.
Fares for commuters between Thika and Nairobi fell from mid-July as a result of stiff competition between established matatu and bus operators and Kenya Mpya Bus Company, a new entrant on the route.
“Nowadays, I am able to make good savings from the lower fare I pay and the money goes to meet other expenses,” said Mary Wairimu, a frequent traveller on the highway.
Before the new company entered the Thika-Nairobi route with 60-seater buses charging commuters Sh80, fares ranged between Sh120 and Sh150 a trip. In some instances, the fares would soar up to Sh200.
As a result, Kenya Mpya buses have become popular with commuters, which has not gone down well with other public transport operators under the umbrella of Mt Kenya Matatu Owners Association, who promptly went on a strike in an attempt to block the new entrant.
The new operators have stayed put and even introduced seven high-capacity buses on the route as the government directive to phase out the 14-seater matatus takes toll on the quality of old matatus.
The company started with two buses.
Mbogo Kuria, a director of Kenya Mpya, argued that the completion of the superhighway had brought down operational costs and shortened the time taken to travel between Thika and Nairobi from about two hours to 30 minutes or less.
Besides, the official says, the company has complied with Transport Licensing Board requirements and pays all the levies as stipulated by public transport regulations and the local authorities by-laws.
“We refused to bow to pressure from our competitors to pull out as we had conformed to all rules and regulations governing the transport sector,” he adds. “Our competitors do not even respect the Constitution, which allows Kenyans to do business anywhere in the country.”
At one time the company temporarily withdrew its vehicles but resumed operations after getting the support of commuters, security agencies and the public.
Mr Kuria said that trouble started when the company bought new buses prompting the Mt Kenya Matatu Sacco to demand that they pay a fee to be allowed in but they declined.
As the rivalry intensified, the 14-seater matatus reduced their fares from Sh150 to Sh100 while buses owned by Chania Transporters Sacco reduced their charges to Sh80 from Sh120. Commuters have welcomed the new players to the route saying they that had been exploited for too long by the other operators.
However, Mt Kenya Matatu Owners Association chairman Michael Kariuki said they were not afraid of competition but want only a level playing ground in the sector.
He claimed that matatus from Thika were not allowed to access other bus termini where the new players were operating, especially in Nyeri, Karatina and Kerugoya. He said the issue had also been politicised.
Kenya Mpya on their part insisted they have employed more than 40 people, all from Thika, and have invested heavily in the training of newly employed drivers and conductors.
Mr Kuria said the company pays domestic tax to the Kenya Revenue Authority at the rate of Sh36,720 a vehicle.
The population in the industrial town has been rising in the past five years while economic growth and the good road have triggered a housing boom around it.
Commuting from the town takes about 40 minutes compared to the two hours in the past. [email protected]
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